MLB Best Bets Today June 13
It is a relatively busy Thursday on the MLB board, as we have 11 games on the slate, including four afternoon games. Usually getaway days aren’t this loaded, but with all the interleague series and a lighter slate on Monday, teams will wrap up their affairs and then head into the weekend.
Article runs Monday-Saturday, odds current from DraftKings at time of publish, SHOP AROUND for the best prices. Tracking sheet is here.
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Here are the MLB best bets today for June 13:
Oakland Athletics at Minnesota Twins (-245, 8.5)
7:40 p.m. ET
It will be a nice, warm evening at Target Field with first-pitch temps in the low 80s as the A’s and Twins do battle in Minneapolis. Luis Medina gets the call for the A’s and Joe Ryan gets the nod for the Twins to open up a four-game set.
After a strong first start against the Braves, Medina was awful against the Blue Jays last time out. He allowed six runs on five hits and issued five walks over just 4.2 innings. Somehow the Under bet on that game actually made it through, but it had absolutely nothing to do with Medina. Through two starts, Medina has allowed a 48.4% Hard Hit% and he’s struggling to get the ball down, as he has just a 29% GB%.
The Twins love to elevate the baseball and have hit 16 homers over the last 14 days with a .445 SLG, so they’re starting to do that more frequently. Having Royce Lewis in the lineup has made a world of difference and several other guys are contributing a high level. On a warm day with the wind blowing out to RF, the Twins should be able to continue their recent offensive upswing.
Ryan comes in with a 3.30 ERA and a 3.50 FIP over 79 innings, so he’s pitched well, but he’s allowed five home runs over his last two starts against the Astros and Pirates. He actually allowed six Barrels in his start against the Astros two outings ago and two more to the Pirates. For his career, Ryan owns a 5.16 ERA in 59.1 innings in June and a 5.71 ERA in 52 innings in July. As a fly ball guy who throws a lot of strikes, the warmer summer months are problematic.
Oakland ranks sixth in road home runs this season with 39. In fact, the A’s actually rank fifth in Barrel% this season. They’ve made a lot of quality contact and now have some favorable conditions for hitting for power.
The A’s pen has been struggling of late and Mason Miller has even been human. Lucas Erceg has not been the same since coming back from injury. The Twins pen has had its issues recently as well.
A lot of sportsbooks are at 8 on this total. Shop around for one of those. Over 8.5 at reduced juice is okay as well, but if you can get an 8, go for that. Because I am beholden to using DK odds, I have to work with what’s available.
Pick: A’s/Twins Over 8.5 (-102)
